South Africa Edge Closer to Victory Despite Pakistan’s Resilience

Tags: Pakistan tour of South Africa, 2024 -25,
South Africa vs Pakistan, 2nd Take a look at at Cape City, Jan 03-07, 2025,
South Africa,
Pakistan

Printed on: Jan 06, 2025

Scorecard
| Commentary
| Graphs

South Africa tightened their grip on the Take a look at match, claiming two key wickets earlier than tea on the fourth day, but Pakistan’s lower-order fightback saved the guests within the hunt. A spirited 69-run partnership between Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan has introduced Pakistan inside 16 runs of avoiding an innings defeat, setting the stage for a gripping finale.

Masood’s Marathon Ends in Controversy

Shan Masood’s valiant knock, spanning 368 minutes, got here to an finish in contentious trend. Kwena Maphaka, South Africa’s standout bowler of the session, delivered a seaming supply that saved low and struck Masood’s entrance pad. Umpire Nitin Menon initially adjudged it lacking the stumps, however a profitable South African evaluate revealed it to be hitting. Masood’s frustration was evident as he protested the choice, a uncommon sight within the often composed batter.

Masood’s dismissal marked the fruits of a superb post-lunch session for South Africa. Kagiso Rabada, steaming in from the opposite finish, accounted for Saud Shakeel, who edged a drive into the slips. Shakeel’s departure left Pakistan reeling, however Agha and Rizwan steadied the ship.

Agha and Rizwan Lead Resistance

Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan batted with willpower, blunting the South African assault and decreasing the deficit. Their partnership was constructed on persistence, rotating the strike, and punishing the uncommon unfastened supply. Agha, particularly, capitalized on Wiaan Mulder’s wayward line, placing two boundaries in fast succession to inject momentum into Pakistan’s innings.

With the ball shedding its shine and the pitch providing inconsistent bounce, South Africa’s bowlers toiled arduous. Keshav Maharaj, bowling nearly continuous via the morning session, continued to pose a risk together with his variations in flight and tempo, although wickets predominantly fell to the pacers.

Morning Session: South Africa Make Early Inroads

The morning started with Marco Jansen dismissing nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad, who chipped a rising supply to Maharaj at level. Kagiso Rabada then produced a second of brilliance to scrub up Kamran Ghulam, bowling a supply that nipped again sharply to uproot off and center stumps.

Rabada’s wicket marked his fiftieth Take a look at scalp at Newlands, a milestone he celebrated with a triumphant roar. Regardless of his success, the South African fast had a blended morning, conceding runs via indiscipline, together with 4 no-balls.

Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel provided resistance alongside Masood, however his keep was marred by near-misses. Maphaka beat him with a magnificence that hit the pads, although South Africa opted towards a evaluate. Hawk-Eye later confirmed the supply would have struck the stumps, a missed alternative that didn’t show too pricey as Shakeel fell shortly after lunch.

South Africa in Management however Work Stays

Because the match heads towards its ultimate section, South Africa maintain the higher hand however can not afford complacency. With Rizwan and Agha exhibiting resilience and Pakistan’s tail able to surprises, the guests are removed from capitulating.

The Proteas will look to wrap up the innings swiftly after tea and keep away from a difficult chase on a carrying pitch. For Pakistan, survival stays the first aim as they battle to power South Africa to bat once more.

The drama of Take a look at cricket is alive and properly, and all eyes will probably be on Newlands because the motion resumes.